Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Acoustic neuromas in the elderly.

B P Perry1, B J Gantz, J T Rubinstein

  • 1The Otology Group of Texas, San Antonio 78240, USA.

Otology & Neurotology : Official Publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [And] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
|May 12, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Observation with serial MRI scans is a safe and effective approach for managing acoustic neuromas in elderly patients. This approach minimizes the need for intervention in most cases.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo following temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: a case report and literature review.

International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery·2025
Same author

Automated objective surgical planning for lateral skull base tumors.

International journal of computer assisted radiology and surgery·2022
Same author

Plasticity in human pitch perception induced by tonotopically mismatched electro-acoustic stimulation.

Neuroscience·2013
Same author

Histopathology of the Clarion cochlear implant electrode positioner in a human subject.

Audiology & neuro-otology·2013
Same author

Evoked cortical activity and speech recognition as a function of the number of simulated cochlear implant channels.

Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·2009
Same author

Pre-lingually deaf children can perform as well as post-lingually deaf adults using cochlear implants.

Cochlear implants international·2008

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Acoustic neuromas, benign tumors of the vestibulocochlear nerve, can pose management challenges in elderly patients.
  • Traditional management often involves immediate surgical intervention, which carries significant risks in older individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a non-invasive "observation" protocol using serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for elderly patients with acoustic neuroma.
  • To determine if this conservative management strategy reduces the need for surgical or radiation treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective case review of 41 patients aged 65 years and older diagnosed with unilateral acoustic neuroma.
  • Patients were monitored using serial gadolinium-enhanced MRI scans at 6-month intervals, then annually, with assessment for tumor growth, neurological deficits, and hydrocephalus.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Over an average follow-up of 3.5 years, only 12% of patients (5 out of 41) required intervention (surgery or radiation).
  • No significant complications were observed during the observation period.
  • Tumor growth occurred in 21 patients, with an average growth rate of 0.322 cm/year, but intervention was rarely necessary.

Conclusions:

  • Serial MRI scanning provides a safe and effective management paradigm for acoustic neuromas in the elderly population.
  • Observation is a viable alternative to immediate intervention for many older patients with acoustic neuroma.